Chairman’s Update 2-02-2020

Good Evening,
On Wednesday, President Trump signed the historic USMCA trade agreement into law. This is a major improvement over the outdated North American Free Trade Agreement, and is a win for American workers, including Ohioans. This deal will spur economic growth, create many new jobs, and raise wages. USMCA expands market access for Ohio farm products, so we can export more products to Canada and Mexico. President Trump has made this a priority and has delivered for Americans. Promises made, promises kept.
As we step into February, it is important to celebrate the many contributions of African-Americans for Black History Month. We also recognize how President Trump has made supporting institutions like Historically Black Colleges and Universities a priority. Thanks to his leadership and our booming economy, more than 1.6 million new jobs have been created for black Americans since President Trump was elected.
President Trump has truly shown he is a president for all Americans, from all walks of life. As we get closer to November, this is something we should all remember and use as fuel to continue spreading our conservative message as we work towards re-electing President Trump.
Sincerely,
Jane M. Timken
Chairman, Ohio Republican Party
VIDEO: Portman Praises Historic USMCA Signed into Law
In a new video, Senator Portman praised the historic signing of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement into law by President Trump. Portman highlighted the economic benefits of USMCA. Portman has been a leading advocate for USMCA, which will create at least 176,000 new jobs, expand opportunities for agricultural trade, encourage new opportunities for auto jobs in America, and add a new section on digital trade to make online sales easier. He has been consistently supportive of this modernized trade agreement, which will replace the 26-year-old NAFTA. Portman received praise from U.S. Trade Representative Bob Lighthizer and other key leaders for his efforts to help pass this historic trade agreement.
The video can be found here.
Governor DeWine Signs Bill to Help Military Spouses Obtain Occupational Licenses
On Monday, Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 7, which eliminates certain employment barrier for military families stationed in Ohio. Governor DeWine was joined by Lt. Governor Jon Husted, Director Deborah Ashenhurst (Department of Veteran Services), and several legislative members at the Wright- Patterson Air Force Base Museum.
Husted Welcomes Sportsmen to Statehouse
Lt. Governor Jon Husted this week welcomed hunting and fishing enthusiasts from across Ohio to the Statehouse for the Sportsman Legislative Day. An avid hunter and fisherman himself, Husted shared with attendees the ways the DeWine-Husted Administration has worked to support sportsman through land conservation and other efforts since taking office.
AG Dave Yost Holds Polluters Accountable
Attorney General Dave Yost announced the owner of two northeast Ohio businesses that illegally burned and mishandled oil field waste has been ordered to pay $200,000 for polluting the environment. The owner of the Ashtabula County businesses, Richard Morrow, has repeatedly failed to address violations stemming from the unlawful transport, storage and open burning of oil field waste.
“Clean land, clean water, clean air – these are things we share, and they’re protected by law,” Yost said. “Here’s a message for every dirty environmental player: We mean what the law says, and we’re ready to take you to court.”
Yost’s Environmental Enforcement Section is handling the case.
LaRose Visit’s Israel, Addresses International Cybersecurity Conference
Secretary of State Frank LaRose traveled to Israel to speak at CyberTech, the world’s premier international Technology and cyber security conference, about Ohio’s efforts to efforts to boost election security.
The Secretary’s trip to one of our nation’s strongest allies included collaborative meetings with public officials, academics & cyber security experts, and an in-depth look into how Israel runs their elections.
Auditor of State Keith Faber Meets with Ohio Prosecutors
Auditor of State Keith Faber has the opportunity this week to sit down with county Prosecutors from around the state. Auditor Faber is committed to assisting prosecutors in investigating public corruption so that the citizens of Ohio can have confidence that their government is working for them.
Sprague Rallies Party Faithful in Clinton County
On Monday night, Treasurer Robert Sprague delivered the keynote speech at the annual Clinton County GOP Century Club dinner. In addition to touting the work of the Treasurer’s office, Sprague spoke of the importance of taking part in grassroots efforts throughout 2020. Specifically, he cited the need to get out in droves to keep Justices French and Kennedy on Ohio’s Supreme Court.
Justice Kennedy Sweeps the State with Campaign Stops
Justice Sharon L. Kennedy spent the weekend in Cleveland meeting with a faith-based-minister group and speaking to the Republican Jewish Coalition. Crossing Ohio, she then stopped in Fulton, Williams and Defiance counties for a series of events – touring the famous Spangler Candy Co., meetings with local leaders, and the local media.
On Tuesday, during a brief recess from the bench, she met with members of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association. One of the members in the group was Luke Vollborn, the Young Cattleman of the Year.
Sharon then ended the week with stops in Morrow, Butler and Hamilton counties. In Butler, she spent the evening with the Miami University College Republican Club talking about the importance of of the 2020 election and the fate of the Supreme Court of Ohio. “In the end, our government is a reflection of us,” Kennedy said. “We decide the fate of our government by our vote and our success is directly measured, by what we are willing to do to achieve it,” she concluded.
Justice French Meets With Supporters, Introduces Recipients of Community Rescue Award
Judi spent the week meeting with friends and supporters throughout Ohio. She had several events throughout the state, spoke to the Ohio Cattleman’s Association when they visited the Ohio Supreme Court and attended the Republican Jewish Coalition meeting in Cleveland.
Judi was also honored to introduce her friends Tim and Barbara Marlowe this week at the Values Matter award ceremony. Tim and Barbara received the Community Rescuer Award and truly represent selfless love and compassion.